Why do objects topple

Because the centre of mass is in the engine, it is kept low so that the tractor has to tilt an awful lot for the line of action of the weight to fall outside the base — and even if it did, it is pushed back further by the fact the wheels are incredibly distant to each other. Safety is another huge factor in toppling — take buses and coaches for example. They have to go through tilt-tests before they are allowed on the road to see how much they can tilt before toplling over.

These test are important because it has to be able to drive along hilly roads and turn through sharp corners. In the first position, if the object it tilted a little, it will fall back to its original position. This form of equilibrium is called stable equilibrium. The weight which acts through the centre of mass, creates a clockwise moment about the point of contact of the object with the ground. This clockwise moment cause the object to return to its original position. In the second position, if the object is tilted a little, the object will topple.

This form of equilibrium is called unstable equilibrium. As it can be seen, the weight creates an anti-clockwise moment about the point of contact. Learn more. Why do objects topple on an incline? Ask Question. Asked 5 years, 5 months ago. Active 4 years, 8 months ago. Viewed 1k times. Improve this question. Masoud 1 1 silver badge 14 14 bronze badges. Add a comment. Active Oldest Votes. Source : BBC Bitesize Physics website If the object does slide, accelerating down the incline, then the situation is more complex.

Did you succeed? Then you are pointing at the centre of mass. Try again pushing along an edge at right angles to the first. If you manage another successful pointing act, then the centre of mass of the book is on the line where these two intersect. It has to be a line because the book is three-dimensional, and you'd need to make a measurement along the third axis to choose where along the line the point that is the centre of mass lies.

This centre of mass is a very special place for the book. Earlier on in this topic you worked with forces acting along one line only. If the forces make the object move without spinning, then this line must run through the centre of mass.

So when we simplify the world to forces acting on point particles, the points must be at the centre of mass of the objects that they represent. Next Unit Heat and Thermodynamics. Matt Jones. Thank you for watching the video. Start Your Free Trial Learn more. Matt Jones M. Explanation Transcript We use the words toppling and stability in our everyday world.